DUNWOODY
A new city center for Dunwoody BY SAMMIE PURCELL David Abes didn’t always plan to be in the restaurant business. In fact, the mind behind the new, upcoming entertainment complex in Dunwoody Village started out in a very different, much less flashy lane – accounting. “I worked in an accounting firm, and I was so bored,” Abes, A rendering of Bar(n), a rustic community bar. who now owns Dash Hospitality Group, said. and started Dash. Following that slight detour, the Dun“I just love the energy about the reswoody native swerved into the restautaurant business,” Abes said. rant and hospitality business, where That energy is partly why he got the he’s remained for about 30 years. He idea to create an entertainment comserved as the general manager of the Atplex in the center of Dunwoody Village, lanta Fish Market during the 1996 Olyma shopping and retail center at 1317 Dunpic Games and served as the director of woody Village Parkway. The complex will operations for Here to Serve Restaurants be located at an open courtyard in the vilfor 14 years. He then held the role of COO lage. for Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, but Abes said he was inspired by a project in 2018, Abes decided to go his own way he consulted on in Florida, The Hub 30a in Watersound Beach. “You look at downtown Roswell, Woodstock, Alpharetta – everybody has their city centers, and Dunwoody just didn’t have that entertainment center,” Abes said. About two and half years ago, he presented the idea to the real estate investment company Regency Centers, which owns Dunwoody Village. When Regency reacted positively, he brought the idea to the city. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States in early 2020, Abes put the project on pause. But more than a year later, construction is already underway for the first phase of the project. The plan calls for a total transformation of the space, including four new restaurants, a bar, an outdoor stage, and enough seating and space to host concerts, festivals and the like. Abes said the first part of his vision – Bar(n), a rustic community bar serving wine, craft beer, and whiskey – is expected to be completed this October. Private Wine Storage Lockers Amazing Selection The food menu will include light bites, like charcuterie, and on weekends, Bar(n) will also serve coffee and pastries. “We’re excited that [Abes] is moving forward with his first restaurant,” said Dunwoody Economic Development Director Michael Starling. “The groundbreaking for Bar(n) is a big first step. We NEW look forward to future developments – 4783 Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341 not only in the courtyard, but in other arLocation (470) 545-8483 | www.GrapesandGrains.com eas of the Village.” Read the full story online at reportgrapesandgrainsstore @ grapesandgrainsstore ernewspapers.net. Follow Our Progress/Opening online:
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10 SEPTEMBER 2021 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS
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